YORK -- The York Public Library plans many activities in January. Check out our website at www.york.lib.me.us for the most up-to-date information.

EVENTS:

“Play to Queen” YDF Film Series

Saturday, January 5, 7:00 p.m.

York Diversity Forum’s Winter Film Series opens with “Play to Queen” (French-English subtitles) with Kevin Kline and Sandrine Bonnaire. Middle-aged chambermaid Helene’s newfound obsession with the game of chess leads her to seek the tutelage of a reclusive American expat, transforming both of their ho-hum lives in the process. Theme: Women/empowerment. Not rated. 97 minutes.

Encore Artists Talk & Reception

Tuesday, January 8, 5:00 p.m.

York Public Library will host an art show of diverse works by over 2 dozen artists who have exhibited at the Library over the past 11 years. The exhibit will run January 3 - March 26.

“Secret of the Wings” Family Fun Film

Saturday, January 12, 6:30 pm.

Tinker Bell embarks on another fairy adventure to the winter woods. There, she discovers a threat to the entire fairy world, meets Periwinkle, and finds the secret of fairy wings. Rated G. 75 minutes.

“Living Downstream” York Reads Film

Friday, January 18, 7:00 p.m.

Based on the acclaimed book by ecologist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., Living Downstream. This poetic documentary follows Sandra during one pivotal year as she travels across North America, working to break the silence about cancer and its environmental links. Emma Halas-O’Connor from the Environmental Health Strategy Center will facilitate a discussion.

“The Rosa Parks Story” YDF Film Series

Saturday, January 19, 7:00 p.m.

The story of the civil rights heroine whose refusal to obey racial bus segregation was just one of her acts in her fight for justice. This film will be shown in honor of Martin Luther King’s Birthday, and the discussion following the film will be led by Reverend Arthur Hilson, civil rights activist, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, and history teacher at Portsmouth High School.

“Moonrise Kingdom” Winter Film Series

Sunday, January 20, 3:00 p.m.

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore, and the peaceful island community is turned upside down. Rated PG-13, 94 minutes.

Veterans’ Benefits Video Conference

Tuesday, January 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Attorney Frances Jackson will discuss veterans’ benefits. This legal information clinic will be available at York Public Library via video conference as part of the Lawyers in Libraries program.

“Aimee and Jaguar” YDF Film Series

Saturday, January 26, 7:00 p.m.

Set in wartime Berlin 1943-1944, Felice, an intelligent and courageous Jewish woman who lives under a false name, belongs to an underground organization. Lilly, a devoted mother of four is desperate for love. An unusual and passionate love between them blossoms despite the danger of persecution. Theme: Lesbian / Courage. Rated-R. 125 minutes.

Anni Clark & Doug Bennett Band Winter Concert Series

Sunday, January 27, 3:00 p.m.

Maine singer-songwriter Anni Clark has recorded 7 successful albums including Anni Clark LIVE, which earned her a nomination for the Texas Music Awards: “Female Vocalist of the Year”. Anni Clark is part folk, part blues, sometimes pop, but all parts original, pleasing audiences with her captivating voice, mindful lyrics, and excellent guitar playing. Doug Bennett, an active member of the seacoast music scene since the mid-1970s, has put together a truly all-star band; Kent Allyn on keys, Bruce Derr on steel guitar, Jim Lydon on bass and Gary Gemitti on drums. They will be playing a wonderful mix of both old and new Doug Bennett tunes.

FOR CHILDREN:

Infant Lapsits (infants to two years old).

Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Come for a program of stories, songs, fingerplays and rhymes.

*Please note: There will be no Lapsit on January 9.

Preschool Story Hour

Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays, and crafts. These story hours are designed for ages 3-5.

ART EXHIBITS AT THE LIBRARY:

ON THE UPPER LEVEL:

York Public Library will host an art show of diverse works by over two dozen artists who have exhibited at the Library over the past 11 years. The exhibit will run January 3 - March 26.

THE KENNEBUNK ROOM:

Anne Catell was hooked by photography at the age of 16 when her grandfather gave her his Zeiss Icon camera. After graduate school she worked as a Special Education teacher by day and created a darkroom in her kitchen where she would develop black and white photos by night.

With her 4 children all grown up, she is now able to explore her creative side thorough photography and print making. Her exhibit is in the Kennebunk Room on the lower level of the Library through December. She is a member of the York Art Association.

DISPLAY CASES:

Stories in Miniature: Seacoast resident Cheryl Frye has a new diorama on display of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Cheryl develops these delightful scenes with her grandchildren. Her work has been exhibited in a number of Seacoast Libraries, including Rye and Portsmouth. (It is on display across from our circulation desk on the upper level of the Library).

Upstairs Display Cases:

An exhibit mounted by Cindi Young-Gomes of the Museums of Old York, brings together the memories of Miss Elizabeth Perkins’ extensive travels abroad, covering every continent except Australia. Miss Perkins attended the coronation of the last Czar of Russia. As an amateur photographer she captured images of her visit to the ruins of Angkor Thom in Cambodia by elephant. An adventurer, she was pulled up a cliff by basket in order to reach a Greek mountain-top monastery. The coronation cup, the faded photograph, and her written account give us a glimpse into the world of Elizabeth Perkins, and how she took the world and made it her own.

In the Downstairs Display Case:

Museums of Old York has created a display about civilian defense and airplane spotting during World War II in coastal towns such as York, where after Pearl Harbor, citizens patrolled the beaches and watched the skies in case of another attack. Can you identify the aircraft in the display?